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A new study published in Science reveals that climate change is dramatically altering global rainfall patterns and intensifying tropical storms. This research comes in the wake of Typhoon Gaemi, the year’s most powerful storm, which recently battered Taiwan, the Philippines, and China.
Led by Zhang Wenxia at the China Academy of Sciences, researchers found that 75% of the world’s land area has experienced increased “precipitation variability” – wider swings between wet and dry weather. Warming temperatures are enhancing the atmosphere’s moisture-holding capacity, leading to more intense weather events.
“This is going to increase as global warming continues, enhancing the chances of droughts and floods,” Steven Sherwood, a climate scientist at the University of New South Wales, told Reuters. The study suggests that while tropical storms may become less frequent, they are likely to grow more powerful.
Typhoon Gaemi exemplified this trend, making landfall in Taiwan as the strongest storm in eight years. With wind speeds reaching 227 kph (141 mph), it caused widespread closures and evacuations across the region.
Climate models predict that global warming will strengthen typhoons. “Warmer sea surface temperatures favour tropical cyclone development,” notes Sachie Kanada from Nagoya University.
Recent reports from China and Taiwan support these findings. China’s climate report shows fewer typhoons but increased intensity since the 1990s. Taiwan’s report also indicates fewer but more intense storms.
Feng Xiangbo, a researcher at the University of Reading, states that for each 1 degree Celsius increase in temperature, water vapour capacity in the lower atmosphere rises by 7%. This underscores the urgency of addressing climate change to mitigate its impact on storm intensity and rainfall patterns.
In India, a breach in the Munak Canal caused knee-deep waterlogging, highlighting the growing challenges of managing water resources and protecting communities from extreme weather.
The findings emphasize the urgent need for action to combat climate change and protect communities from its increasingly severe impacts. Read More
News Credit: Kashmir Reader
Picture: FreePik